On average most employers will look at your CV for up to five seconds before they decide whether they should continue reading. That’s not much time. To ensure your CV gets read and you stand a chance of a job interview, you should concentrate on editing and updating your personal statement.

What is a Personal Statement?

Your CV is all about you. Career experience, qualifications, achievements, projects you have worked on, results…the list is endless. But the most personal part of your CV is your personal statement. This is a short paragraph designed to give the reader an idea of what your career aspirations are, what you are like as a person and what you could bring to their company. (Be careful not to repeat this when writing a cover letter).

Tips on Creating a Personal Statement

For each application you send there is likely to be hundreds of other applicants applying for the same role. An employer will often be inundated with hundreds of CVs a week so grabbing their attention is crucial. Here are some tips on how to do that:

Include who you are, where you are coming from, key skills and achievements and career aspirations. Here is an example: ‘I have recently graduated from ABC University where I gained a 2:1 in Media Studies. I have since worked for xxxx which has enhanced both my creativity and knowledge of the industry. I am a passionate individual looking for a new challenge. In my last role I worked on xxx campaign and achieved xxx which is why I am now looking to develop my career even further.’

Keep it brief.

Depending on the job role, be creative. Keeping it bland will make your CV like everyone else’s.

Don’t give too much away. It’s vital that you let the reader know a bit about you but you don’t want to over-do it and be left speechless during a job interview. Be selective with your information.

Add in quotes from previous employers. References are a key part of the job application process so why not use quotes from previous employers to support your personal statement?

Relate your career goals to the company. Whether you are applying for a work experience position or a full-time job relate your personal statement to the role.